He glanced at Chen Hu and then another, the sense of familiarity growing stronger with each passing moment.
Chen Hu had developed a habit of wearing oversized sunglasses, not only to appear calm but also to avoid being recognized.
Liu Yong noticed the expression on Yuan Gong's face and smiled slightly, deciding not to point out the obvious. After all, it was better to let things be.
In the end, Yuan Gong couldn't recall Chen Hu's identity. He racked his brain but couldn't place where he had seen him before. How could he feel so familiar?
As the giant rock was loaded onto the cart, Liu Yong instructed, "Director Luo, I'll leave this matter in your hands. Let me know when you have the results."
"No problem, don't worry," Luo Yong replied enthusiastically. "Mr. Liu, why don't you come to my office for a cup of tea?"
Liu Yong politely declined, saying, "No, I have to head back to the company."
Recognizing Liu Yong's busy schedule, Luo Yong didn't insist and instead shook hands with him. He watched as Liu Yong got into his car and drove away.
Chen Hu, who was behind the wheel, remarked, "Boss, you've got quite the influence. The director was so enthusiastic."
Liu Yong smiled and replied, "Most likely because I donated 2 million for their specialized mineral research."
Ah, I see.
For institutions like the Huahai Mineral Research Institute, 2 million wasn't a small sum, but it wasn't significant for Liu Yong. As long as it helped determine the formation time of the facets on the stone, the investment was well worth it.
Liu Yong made his way back to the Global Shipping Group. Under Luo Yong's supervision, the isotope determination on the stone began.
Yuan Gong was one of the technicians involved, and they all prepared diligently and efficiently.
While making preparations, Yuan Gong's mind kept wandering. The familiarity of Liu Yong's driver nagged at him as if they had met somewhere before.
His gaze inadvertently landed on an old newspaper lying nearby. It had been published over a week ago and featured news about Chen Hu winning championships and breaking records.
It's him!
It was him!
The person he had just seen was Chen Hu!
Yuan Gong suddenly felt excitement, but a tinge of regret quickly followed it. If only he had recognized Chen Hu earlier, he could have asked for an autograph or even a group photo.
Technician Xiao Zhao noticed Yuan Gong's excitement and asked, puzzled, "Yuan Gong, what's got you so worked up?"
Yuan Gong exclaimed, "Xiao Zhao, did you notice that Mr. Liu's driver isn't here?"
Xiao Zhao replied, "Yeah, I noticed. I stole a few glances, and he did look familiar."
Yuan Gong exclaimed, "He's Chen Hu! I only remembered when I saw this newspaper."
What? It's Chen Hu!
Yes, it's Chen Hu!
Xiao Zhao also got excited, "Oh, I missed a great opportunity. If I had recognized him earlier, I could have asked for a photo and posted it on social media. It would have been so cool."
"Yeah, we missed a golden chance."
"Mr. Liu is amazing. Chen Hu is actually his driver, and he seems willing. That's incredible."
"It's truly impressive. Who would have thought that Chen Hu, after retiring from the military, would end up working as a driver for Mr. Liu? It's hard to believe."
Yuan Gong, Xiao Zhao, and the others couldn't contain their excitement. The fact that Chen Hu worked as Liu Yong'sdriver completely exceeded their expectations, and they could hardly wrap their minds around it.
Meanwhile, Liu Yong arrived back at the Global Shipping Group.
To determine the formation time of the three massive holes at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, they had to wait for the results of the isotope measurements.
Liu Yong was pleased to learn that Luo Yong and his team were highly efficient. Just a few hours later, Luo Yong personally called him in the afternoon.
"Mr. Liu, it's Luo Yong from the Institute of Mineral Research."
"Hello, Director Luo. Do you have the results?"
Luo Yong responded, "Yes, the results just came in. According to our measurements, the surface of the stone should have formed approximately 50,000 years ago."
50,000 years!
Liu Yong was momentarily taken aback. He had speculated that the stone might have formed millions or even tens of millions of years ago. The fact that it was only 50,000 years old surprised him.
The three giant holes were evidently of artificial origin, not formed naturally. Liu Yong wondered if they were the handiwork of a prehistoric or perhaps even an extraterrestrial civilization.
Had an alien civilization visited Earth 50,000 years ago, leaving these enigmatic and colossal cavities behind? What purpose did they serve? And were they still present, lurking in some remote corner?
Liu Yong's mind raced with countless thoughts until he was interrupted by Luo Yong's voice. "Mr. Liu, are you still there?"
Apologizing for his temporary distraction, Liu Yong replied, "I'm listening. Thank you for the information."
Luo Yong asked, "Shall I deliver the formal report to you personally?"
Liu Yong declined, saying, "That won't be necessary. We no longer require the stone. You can handle it however you see fit."
The stone appeared ordinary, and Liu Yong believed a cut surface formed 50,000 years ago wouldn't attract much attention. Perhaps even Luo Yong considered it a regular occurrence. Stones could develop new characters due to natural fractures, external forces, or other factors.
This was precisely why Liu Yong had boldly entrusted the stone to the Huahai Institute of Mineral Research.
After hanging up the call, Liu Yong sat in his office chair, lost in contemplation.
It was now highly likely that the three massive holes were the remnants of an alien civilization. However, the reasons behind their creation remained a mystery. The depths of these colossal cavities and what lay beneath them remained unanswered.
Liu Yong pondered, "Bawang is still a little too small. Once it surpasses 1,000 tons, I must explore those three giant holes more extensively."
He meditated alone for a long time. In his mind, Bawang, his advanced vessel, had yet to reach its full potential. If it exceeded 1,000 tons, he believed it could delve into the seabed depths, potentially unravelling the secrets held within.
"When Bawang exceeds 1,000 tons, I will explore those three giant holes thoroughly," Liu Yong resolved.
Lost in his thoughts, Liu Yong considered the possibilities. The "Blue Whale," sailing in the waters outside Huahai City, was only a dozen nautical miles away from the port of arrival.
Having travelled over 30,000 nautical miles, a journey longer than circling the Earth, the "Blue Whale" was finally returning after nearly two months.
Several vehicles were parked on the pier, including cars, SUVs, and four large trailers used for transporting containers.
Hu Shijun, Ling Jun, Huang Guang, and other middle and high-level executives of Universal Semiconductor Company anxiously awaited the "Blue Whale." Their excitement and anticipation were evident as they frequently glanced towards the sea.
Hu Shijun, Ling Jun, and Huang Guang had been conversing about company matters, but when they noticed the commotion, their discussion halted abruptly. Like the others, they turned their gaze towards the distant sea.
The air was filled with anticipation as they eagerly awaited the return of the prodigious vessel that had embarked on an extraordinary journey. The "Blue Whale" had traversed vast distances, encountering unknown challenges and venturing into uncharted territories.
With their hearts racing, the executives of Universal Semiconductor Company stood on the pier, eagerly awaiting the vessel's arrival that held the promise of discoveries and potential breakthroughs.
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